Jamaican-born business leader and Howard University trustee Don Christian is to be conferred with the prestigious President’s Medal of Achievement at the university’s 158th Commencement Convocation on May 9, in recognition of his distinguished leadership, service, and longstanding contributions to the institution.
The honour, one of the university’s highest recognitions, will be presented during commencement exercises on Howard’s historic Yard before an audience expected to include some 3,000 graduating students and more than 15,000 family members, alumni, and guests.
In a formal invitation extended by Howard University President Emeritus Wayne A. I. Frederick, Christian was praised for a career spanning more than three decades at PwC, where he helped drive business transformation and technology adoption at the highest levels of global leadership.
“Your exemplary leadership and service reflect our enduring commitment to excellence in truth and service,” Frederick wrote, citing Christian’s professional accomplishments, his role as founding chairman of the Jamaica Howard University Affinity Network (JHUAN), and his ongoing contributions as a member of Howard’s Board of Trustees.
Christian, a Howard alumnus who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting in 1990, has served on the university’s Board of Trustees since 2018, including as a committee chair and executive committee member.
Now retired from PwC after a distinguished 36-year career, he served as a board member of both PwC International and PwC US, and held senior leadership roles as lead client partner, regional and market leader, and consulting partner, advising organizations in risk management, digital transformation, and technology adoption.
Beyond corporate leadership, Christian has remained deeply committed to expanding opportunities for students, particularly Jamaicans attending Howard. Through the Jamaica Howard University Affinity Network (JHUAN) Inc., which he founded, scholarships, mentorship, and other support have been provided to Jamaican students pursuing studies at the historic university. Howard officials said those efforts were among the key reasons for the recognition.
Christian has also been selected as the orator for Howard’s Charter Day Convocation, another significant honour highlighting his standing within the university community.
He has completed executive education at Harvard Business School, Carnegie Mellon University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Festivities surrounding the award will begin May 8 with a private reception and dinner honouring Christian and fellow recipients at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC in Georgetown.
The President’s Medal of Achievement is reserved for individuals whose lives and careers exemplify Howard University’s mission of excellence, truth, and service—a standard university leaders say Christian has embodied through professional distinction, philanthropy, and a steadfast commitment to education.
